MNL Fashion Week (MNLFW) is back — and its second edition is shaping up to be one of the biggest Filipino fashion moments this September. From emerging labels to international celebrity guests, here are five things to expect when MNLFW takes over SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier from 3 to 6 September.

1. Eleven Filipino labels, 11 different fashion moods

This year's runway lineup brings together Antonina, HA.MÜ, Yong Studio, Charlotte Folk, Randolf, nicolò, Proudrace, Lorico, Lilah Roché, Yana Kalaw Studios, and Killjoy Studios, spanning modern minimalism, anti-fashion maximalism, heritage craft and streetwear.

Basically, expect a little bit of everything — and definitely no shortage of fashion personalities.

2. Runway shows that aim to go bigger

For founder and executive director John Lozano, MNLFW is all about pushing Filipino fashion forward.

“We’re still going to highlight the best of the best in terms of Filipino brands and designers, and at the same time, it’s always a constant pursuit to push the boundaries and to see where we can bring the quality of shows here in the Philippines.”

He also credits the entire creative team behind the event: “MNL Fashion Week is not just me, it’s not just the team mounting it, it’s everybody — the directors, the designers, the production designers… all I know is that everybody’s going to push it further than ever before, and that’s always the goal every year.”

3. Fashion that isn't ‘gatekept’

MNLFW is also leaning into accessibility, with Lozano emphasizing that fashion shouldn't be reserved for an exclusive crowd.

“Fashion should be consumed, it should be enjoyed, it should be for everybody. It’s not just for people who can afford it, or for people who have time to embrace it.”

The philosophy continues with this year's focus on labels that have built their own identities and audiences.

“We’re focusing more on designers that are brands themselves,” Lozano explains, “because fashion is meant to be enjoyed and consumed by as many people as possible.”

4. A whole lot of Filipino fashion community energy

Forget the fashion-week rivalry. Lozano wants MNLFW to be a space where the industry comes together.

“I don’t see it as competition, because we’re all aiming for one goal,” he says.

His bigger vision? “It’s really to bring everybody together — whoever wants to help push Filipino fashion forward globally is welcome to join MNL Fashion Week.”

And that spirit ties directly into the legacy he wants MNLFW to leave behind: “If there’s a legacy that I want MNL Fashion Week to have in the next three, five, maybe ten years, it’s really the fact that we were uniting the Filipino fashion community.”

5. Thai celebrities are joining the fashion-week moment

The runway will also welcome visiting Thai celebrities Chaikamon Sermsong Wittaya (“Boss”), Anupart Luangsodsai (“Ngern”), Tharathon Phumphothingam (“Oat”), Siwaj Sawatmaneekul (“New”), Thanakorn Wichanukhor (“Min”), and Jarukit Kaewmoonrueang (“Toptap”).

So yes, expect Filipino fashion, Thai star power, and plenty of runway moments worth having on your feed.

MNL Fashion Week 2026 runs from 3 to 6 September at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway, Taguig, Metro Manila (Bonifacio Global City).